Chapter thirty six

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The moment Lyra and her friends stepped into the Great Hall, the whispers began instantly.

She felt them before she even heard them, eyes shifting toward her, hushed voices carrying just loud enough to be noticed. It was subtle at first, a murmur at the Ravenclaw table, a few glances exchanged between Gryffindors, but then it grew.

"Did you hear? She was there at the Cup taking to some death eaters.."

"..whole family's involved with Dark magic, it's not surprising.."

"I saw her disappear after the attack.."

"..probably working with You-Know-Who."

Lyra exhaled slowly through her nose, forcing herself to keep walking.

"Alright," Theo muttered beside her, hands tucked in his pockets. "On a scale of one to absolute bollocks, what do we think of these rumours?"

"Somewhere between hilariously inaccurate and mildly offensive," Blaise answered, smirking. "Although, I quite like the one where Lyra was secretly leading the attack."

Lyra rolled her eyes and huffed. "How original."

Astoria frowned. "People are stupid. Ignore them Lyra."

Draco scoffed. "Yeah, just ignore them."

Lyra nodded, setting her shoulders. "I will. Keep your heads cold."

As if taking their cue from her, the group walked confidently towards the Slytherin table, ignoring the weight of the stares. She had learned long ago that Slytherins did not flinch under scrutiny.

They sat down, and slowly, the whispers faded into the usual Great Hall chatter.

As the feast began, the tension in the air loosened. Soon enough, they were back to their usual conversations, which involved complaining about class schedules, making sarcastic bets on how long it would take Snape to snap, and poking fun at each other.

"Ten Galleons says Blaise fails Astronomy.. Again," Daphne quipped, stabbing her fork into the bacon she was eating.

Blaise huffed. "I will not fail Astronomy. Not this time at least.."

"You slept through all of last year," Astoria pointed out, shooting him a mocking smile.

"That is a separate issue." He said with his head high, but the light smirk on his face made Lyra believe he would do the same again.

Lyra chuckled, taking a sip from her goblet. It felt normal. Like nothing had changed. And maybe, just for today, she could let herself enjoy that.

Right behind her, she could fell a familiar figure dropped into his seat at the Gryffindor table.

Fred Weasley.

And, of course, right beside him, George Weasley. The twins wasted no time. They both turned around at the same time, looking towards Lyra, and exchanged a look before smirking.

Lyra looked over her shoulder, and immediately locked eyes with Fred.

"Oh, perfect," Lyra muttered, as she turned her head away from the Gryffindor table, focusing on eating the oatmeal infront of her.

Draco was quick to follow her gaze, and once he noticed the twins he scoffed. "What do they want now?"

Before anyone could answer, Fred and George spoke just loud enough for their voices to carry.

"I told you it is impossible to get rid of us." Fred called out, grinning, shooting Lyra a small crooked smirk when she turned around again.

"Back from your mysterious summer disappearance, I see," George added sarcastically. "Rumour has it, you've joined the dark side."

Theo snorted, clearly unamused by the Gryffindors comment towards his friend, but Lyra only raised an eyebrow. "Oh, very original, Weasley."

George shrugged, unbothered. "I try."

Fred smirked. "Really though, Arakan, you didn't write? After all the fun we had at the Cup?"

Lyra took a slow bite of her food before answering. "Yeah, I meant to," she said dryly, sarcasm dripping off her tongue, "but then I realised, I don't care. But something tells me you were busy enough this summer."

Fred's smirk slightly dropped by her comment. She was obviously talking about Angelina. George sent Fred a confused glare, but Fred just brushed him off.

Fred clutched his chest dramatically. "Ouch. That hurt."

"Did it?" Lyra asked flatly.

Before Fred could answer, another voice cut in.

"Can you not?" Ron Weasley muttered, looking between his brothers and Lyra's group. "We have better things to do than mess with Slytherins."

Daphne scoffed. "Oh, please. Isn't fighting with Slytherins your entire personality, Weasley?"

Ron's face turned red. "Not really-"

"Better question," Theo interrupted, grinning, "why do you lot care so much about Lyra?" He turned toward Fred, pointing an accusing finger at the red headed boy. "Particularly you."

Lyra shot Theo a glare, but he just smirked in return.

"Oh, I don't know," Fred said lazily, "maybe because it's fun messing with her."

Daphne scoffed and rolled his eyes, finally deciding that he has had enough of the red headed boy. "We get it, Weasley. We know you're obsessed."

"Wouldn't go that far," Fred scoffed, but his twin brother only chuckled beside him.

"You sure?" George smirked. That comment alone earned him a sharp elbow against his shoulder.

Hermione, who had been sitting by the table in silent, sighed loudly, finally fed up with all the nonsense around her. "Honestly, why are we even engaging in this? Can't we just eat? You guys love to eat."

Harry, who also had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "She was there that night, though." His green eyes flickered toward Lyra, unreadable. "At the Cup. I saw her."

Lyra met his gaze, unflinching. Why did that matter, if he saw her. "And?"

Harry narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"

The table quieted slightly.

Lyra tilted her head, giving him a small, humourless smile. "Wouldn't you like to know?" She replied, narrowing her eyes at the boy before turning around, ignoring the Gryffindors behind her.

Harry frowned, opening his mouth to argue, but before he could, Draco scoffed. "Potter, mind your own business."

"I wasn't talking to you, Malfoy," Harry shot back in defense.

"And I wasn't asking," Draco sneered.

Fred and George watched with matching amusement, while Blaise and Theo sat back, waiting for things to escalate.

"You lot always think you're better than everyone," Ron muttered.

"Oh, come off it, Weasley," Daphne rolled her eyes. "We don't think, we know."

Ron shot up from his seat, grabbing the metal fork in his hand so tight his knuckles turned white. "Alright, that's it-"

"Ron, sit down," Hermione groaned, pulling him back while rolling her eyes, clearly displeased.

Lyra, who had been calmly sipping her drink, finally exhaled. "As entertaining as this is, I have better things to do than listen to Gryffindors get their knickers in a twist."

"Like what?" Fred teased with a wide smirk. "Plan your next disappearance?"

"Plan out ways to make you shut up, maybe?" Lyra shot back, clearly getting irritated from the twins' voices. She didn't realise how wrong it sounded, before seeing the twins' reactions.

George grinned widely, and looked at his brother with a raised eyebrow. "Hot."

This comment alone made Astoria choke on her drink, while Lyra simply rolled her eyes.

"Don't make it weird." She groaned, sliding a hand down her face.

Draco groaned. "Can we not flirt with the Gryffindors, please?"

"Yeah Arakan, can we not?" Fred pouted sarcastically behind her, but before she could throw something at his head, the Headmaster finally stood, calling for silence.

"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore's voice rang through the Hall.

Lyra sighed, dragging a hand through her hair. She hated how much Fred got under her skin. When they talked alone on the train, he was actually tolerable, but when he is with his friends, things happened to escalate too fast.

But at least, she had something now to use against him, or at least someone.

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Dumbledore clapped his hands, drawing the Great Hall into silence. "Well, now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement."

Before he could continue, the doors at the back of the hall slammed open, and a hunched, scowling figure came barreling down the aisle between the house tables.

Filch.

Gasps and mutters spread across the hall as students turned to watch him half run half limp toward the front, clutching his side as if he had run the entire way from the dungeons.

"This should be good," Theo muttered.

"Ten Sickles says he trips before he gets there," Blaise whispered.

"I'll take that bet," Daphne smirked.

Filch finally reached the staff table, wheezing, and leaned in close to whisper something hurriedly in Dumbledore's ear.

Dumbledore, patient as ever, frowned slightly. "Yes, what is it? What is it?" His voice was low, but enough to make out what he said.

The students closest to the staff table craned their necks, whispering amongst themselves.

Lyra smirked. "Maybe Mrs. Norris finally got sick of him and ran away."

"More like he found a student breathing too loudly in the corridors," Draco added dryly.

"I swear if this is about some first-year sneaking a dungbomb into his office again.."

Theo grinned. "We can only dream."

Daphne and Astoria giggled while Blaise leaned forward. "Hold on though, what if it's serious? What if, oh no, Merlin forbid- the man actually has something important to say?"

The group paused, then looked at each other. Then, in unison, they all burst into laughter.

As Filch kept whispering, Dumbledore waved a hand dismissively. "Tell them to wait. Tell them to wait."

Filch scowled but shuffled down the hall once again, grumbling under his breath.

"His knees are weirdly high up when he runs." Draco muttered, lightly grinning himself.

Dumbledore turned back to the hall, spreading his arms wide. "Now, as I was saying- Hogwarts has been chosen."

A murmur swept through the students, intrigued.

"This castle will not only be your home this year," Dumbledore continued, "but home to some very special guests as well."

Lyra raised an eyebrow, and Astoria leaned towards her slytherin friend. "Guests?" Astoria whispered, and Lyra could only shrug in response.

"Special guests?" Blaise added. "That never goes well."

Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled as he smiled. "You see, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Triwizard Tournament."

From the Gryffindor table, a loud voice rang out.

"Brilliant," Fred Weasley said, grinning. George nodded, mirroring his twin's excitement. "Absolutely brilliant."

Lyra rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smirk herself. She had read about the tournament before.

Dumbledore continued, his voice ringing through the hall.

"For those of you who do not know, the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete. Now, let me be clear. If chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, these contests are not for the faint-hearted."

The hall buzzed with excitement.

"Finally," Daphne muttered under her breath, smirking. "Something good this year."

Theo leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "Imagine if one of us gets picked."

Blaise snorted. "Merlin help us all."

Draco crossed his arms. "Better us than a Gryffindor."

Lyra hummed, half-listening to them, her mind already racing through the possibilities. The Triwizard Tournament was obviously dangerous, but undeniably intriguing.

Dumbledore wasn't done yet. He smiled warmly, gesturing toward the great doors. "But more of that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and their headmistress, Madame Maxime."

The heavy doors creaked open, and a soft, melodic hum filled the air as a procession of students glided into the Great Hall.

The Beauxbatons girls.

They moved in perfect harmony, their silken robes fluttering, their faces serene as they curtsied twice. The air seemed to shimmer around them, as if their very presence carried magic. From the Slytherin table, quiet whispers broke out.

"Well," Blaise murmured, suppressing a smirk, watching them intently. "That's... new."

Theo smirked, leaning his face against the palm of his hand as he watched the girls make their way through the house tables. "Finally, something worth looking at this year."

Daphne elbowed him, giving him a stern glare. "Behave."

Astoria watched the interaction between her sister and Theo, and only sighed and rolled her eyes. "Boys."

Draco, for once, had nothing snide to say. He merely watched, intrigued.

Lyra, meanwhile, observed silently, her gaze shifting between the Beauxbatons students and the Hogwarts tables. The reactions were mixed, some students enchanted, others unimpressed.

A collective gasp swept through the Great Hall as the headmistress of Beauxbatons, Madame Maxime, stepped inside.

She was huge.

Even among the towering doors of the Great Hall, she loomed impressively, standing nearly twice the height of the average witch. The Beauxbatons girls gracefully twirled and spun, performing an elegant, choreographed dance before taking a synchronized bow.

"Elegant," Daphne nodded approvingly. "Very french."

The crowd erupted into applause, whistles and cheers echoing off the enchanted ceiling. Blaise, who was still shocked from madame Maxime, nudged Theo. "What the hell do they feed them in France?"

Theo smirked and shrugged. "No idea, but whatever it is, I think I needs some." He joked, sending Daphne a sly wink.

"Gross." Daphne responded, but couldn't help but smirk herself.

Draco snorted. "It's called proper breeding, Zabini."

The girls at the table shared a look of disgust. "Ew." Lyra simply said, giving Draco no time to defend herself.

Daphne smirked before elbowing Lyra sharply, eyes gleaming. "Alright, this year might be worth staying awake for." She said, before turning towards Blaise.

"Right, Blaise?" She smirked.

"What- why are you only talking to me." He responded in an offended tone, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at the blond girl, who simply smiled and turned her attention towards the scene again.

Madame Maxime extended a massive hand toward Dumbledore, who gave it a soft kiss. The Beauxbatons students elegantly took their seats at the Ravenclaw table, their movements precise and delicate.

Dumbledore stepped forward once more, raising his hands for silence. "And now, our friends from the north. Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and their high master, Igor Karkaroff."

The crowd turned as the doors burst open once again. Durmstrang entered with force.

Their students carried long wooden staffs, pounding them against the stone floor in unison. The sound echoed like thunder through the hall.

They struck three times with one hand before smoothly transitioning to the other, moving with practiced coordination. As they reached the front of the hall, several of them flipped their staffs and spun them in sharp, controlled arcs.

It was both intimidating and thrilling.

And then.

Viktor. Fucking. Krum.

Daphne immediately steadied herself against Lyra like she had lost all function in her body, but Lyra barely even noticed, because she was also gaping. She had not expected that.

Viktor Krum, the Viktor Krum, was here. In her school.

"Merlin," Lyra whispered, barely breathing the word as her eyes followed the muscular man. "It's him."

Daphne, still gripping her tightly, whispered back, "I cannot handle this, Lyra. I cannot be normal about this."

Theo raised an eyebrow, amused. "You two alright?"

"No," Lyra and Daphne said in unison.

Blaise smirked. "I mean, I get it, he's famous and all but.."

Daphne turned sharply, narrowing her eyes. "Do not reduce him to just 'famous', he is much more than that! He is a legend, and the best seeker there is."

"He's also a total smoke show." Lyra muttered with a light smirk, keeping her eyes glued at the hungarian male.

As he walked right past her, his eyes lightly crossed her figure. Not once, but twice.

"Oh my god, he totally did a double take on you, Ly." Daphne whisper yelled to Lyra as he had passed, and Lyra gave her friend a silent smile.

"Who wouldn't." She joked, looking back towards the hungarian male, lost in thought.

Draco chuckled. "I think she's broken."

Astoria smiled knowingly, shrugging lightly. "Let her have this."

Dumbledore and Karkaroff exchanged pleasantries, shaking hands at the front of the hall as the Durmstrang students took their seats.

Lyra was still in a daze when Dumbledore stepped forward again, his voice commanding attention.

"Your attention, please! I would like to say a few words. Eternal glory. That is what awaits the student who wins the Triwizard Tournament."

"But to do this," Dumbledore continued, "that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks."

From the Gryffindor table, Fred Weasley's voice rang out.

"Wicked."

Lyra rolled her eyes. Of course Fred would find it exciting. This kind of event is definitely his thing.

"For this reason," Dumbledore went on, "the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule."

Dumbledore gestured toward the staff table. "To explain all this, we have the head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Mister Bartemius Crouch."

Just as Barty Crouch stood from his seat, thunder roared overhead.

The enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall darkened as storm clouds rolled in. Rain began to leak through the roof, dripping down onto the tables.

"Oh, great." Lyra groaned as she looked up, her eyes slightly narrowed due to the rain pouring down.

And then, in the doorway, a figure loomed.

A grizzled man with a wooden leg, a heavily scarred face, and a magical eye that spun wildly in its socket. He raised his staff and pointed it at the ceiling, and with a single flick, the rain froze mid-air and reversed itself, sealing back into the enchanted roof.

But the Great Hall remained eerily silent. All eyes were on the man, and whispers spread.

"Shit," Theo whispered under his breath, barely moving his lips. "It's Mad Eye Moody."

Lyra's stomach twisted uncomfortably as she leaned closer to her friends.

"Oh, fuck," she murmured, her voice low. "He's been after my mother for years."

Daphne shot her a worried glance. "Do you think he knows who you are?" Lyra kept her expression blank, but her fingers curled tightly against the table.

As Bartemius Crouch stepped forward, the entire hall bristled with anticipation. His voice carried over the crowd of students.

"After much deliberation, the Ministry has concluded that for their own safety, no student under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to put forth their name for the Triwizard Tournament. This decision is final."

A wave of outrage rippled through the Great Hall, and students groaned, booed, and whispered furiously amongst themselves.

From the Gryffindor table, George Weasley shot to his feet. "That's rubbish! You don't know what you're doing!" Alongside with Fred, who was booing loudly.

A face of discomfort washed over Barty, and a loud bang echoed through the chamber.

"Silence!" Dumbledore's voice cut through the noise like a sharp knife, and the entire hall seemed to shake. The entire room went dead quiet, and even the usual troublemakers shrank back into their seats with humiliated faces.

Lyra, who had been watching George and Fred's "bickering" turned towards Daphne, and exchanged an unimpressed look with her friend. "Bit dramatic, aren't they?"

Daphne, who had also caught on, snorted. "They love making a scene."

Up at the front of the Hall, Dumbledore raised his wand and casted magic over a box which melds into a goblet containing a blue flame.

"The goblet of fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen there's no turning back. As from this moment the tri-wizard tournament has begun." Dumbledore said with a weary voice.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then, all at once, the room erupted into murmurs, whispers, and excited chatter. The younger students, particularly the first-years, looked up at the older ones with wide-eyed fascination.

Lyra's table was no different.

"This is insane," Daphne muttered under her breath, her eyes locked on the goblet. "A chance at eternal glory?"

Theo smirked, leaning over the table. "A chance to die in a more entertaining way, you mean."

Blaise scoffed. "Like you'd even last the first couple minutes."

"I resent that," Theo said, feigning offense.

Draco sat right beside them with his arms crossed an observed the goblet with an unreadable expression. "Doesn't matter how dangerous it is, people are going to try to cheat that age line nontheless."

"Yeah, like those idiots over there," Astoria mumbled, nodding toward the Gryffindor table, and as cue they all looked over to the gryffindor table.

Lyra followed her gaze as well just in time to see the Weasley twins huddled together with Lee Jordan, whispering furiously.

George's expression was mischievous, his grin wide. "We're doing it. There has to be a way around the age restriction."

Fred nodded and rolled his eyes. "Agreed. It's not like Dumbledore's a God. There's always a loophole." He winked to his friends.

Across the Hall, Lyra could practically feel the mischief radiating from them.

"They're going to try and enter," she murmured, glancing at her own group.

Theo grinned. "Should we sabotage them?"

Daphne chuckled. "Oh, please let them humiliate themselves. It's much more entertaining when Gryffindors fall flat on their arses."

Astoria giggled. "Ten Galleons says they get hexed into next week."

Lyra smirked but didn't say anything. Truthfully, she was just as eager to see how things would unfold. Whatever was about to happen was going to be chaotic.

And Lyra couldn't wait.

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